Thursday

FOXBORO — The first time James Ihedigbo met Victor Cruz, he was happy to host him. When the two cross paths again in Super Bowl XLVI, they will not be nearly as friendly.

FOXBORO - The first time James Ihedigbo met Victor Cruz, he washappy to host him. When the two cross paths again in Super BowlXLVI, they will not be nearly as friendly.

The two former University of Massachusetts teammates will be onopposite sides in Indianapolis. Ihedigbo is a safety for thePatriots, Cruz a receiver for the Giants.

The pair met seven years ago when Cruz was finishing high schoolat Pattersen Catholic in New Jersey and Ihedigbo was a star in theUMass defensive backfield. Ihedigbo was chosen to be Cruz' guidewhen he visited Amherst.

"He was my recruit when he came to UMass to visit. He's still agood friend of mine," Ihedigbo said.

Ihedigbo obviously did a good job since Cruz selected UMass andwent on to have a career that included 131 receptions, fourth onthe school's all-time receiving list. Cruz made the Giants as anundrafted free agent, missed most of last season, his rookie year,because of a hamstring injury, but has blossomed into a star thisyear with 82 receptions for 1,536 yards.

"The guy's a phenomenal player," Ihedigbo said of his oldteammates. "He's a great player for them."

Ihedigbo exchanged text messages with Cruz before the Patriotsdefeated the Ravens in the AFC title game and New York edged SanFrancisco in overtime in the NFC championship game, Cruz saidThursday.

"He goes: 'We're going to win our game, so I'll see you inIndy." I was like: 'I'll see you in Indy,' and here we are."

Cruz has fond memories of his time at UMass.

"It was a tremendous ride," he said. "We understand how much ofa small school it is, and how little guys get an opportunity tocome out of that school."

Ihedigbo, who grew up near UMass and is now living inProvidence, spent two days getting all the personal details ofplaying in a Super Bowl worked out. His family, including hismother, who is on the UMass faculty, and his brothers, will get togo to the game.

"You've got to make sure your loved ones are taken care of.They've supported you through this whole process," Ihedigbosaid.

Butler added

The Patriots have signed third-year tight end Carson Butler tothe practice squad. Butler spent the majority of last season on thePats' practice squad and went to training camp with the team beforebeing released in September.

The 6-4, 260-pound Butler was signed by the Green Bay Packers asa rookie free agent out of Michigan in 2009. He takes the spotvacated Thursday when the team put wide receiver Dorin Dickerson onthe practice squad/injured reserve list.

Stand-up of sorts

Bill Belichick worked in some humor Thursday in a ramblinghalf-hour news conference at Gillette Stadium. It came on apredictable subject.

The Patriots' coach spoke at length about a number of issues,including how impressed he is with the Giants, how he wants histeam to get through Super Bowl preparations and about individualplayers ranging from Tom Brady to Eli Manning. Somewhere in themiddle of it all, someone asked about injured players RobGronkowski and Sebastian Vollmer.

As soon as he heard the word injuries, he broke into asmile.

"That's got to be number one (on the priority list)," he saidwith a grin.

He reported that Gronkowski, who injured his ankle in thevictory over the Ravens last weekend, would not practiceThursday.

"We'll have to see," he said. "Take it day-by-day."

Belichick, who never discusses injuries and the chances of aplayer being ready to play, went back into his usual mode ofoperation.

"I'm not going to forecast what might happen in 10 days," hesaid. "The crystal ball is clouding up. I can't really see it."

Gronkowski and Butler, the team's newest tight end, were theonly players not to take part in practice.

Getting over the hump

A New Jersey camel that once belonged to Newport heiress DorisDuke is picking the Giants to win the Super Bowl.

Princess, star of New Jersey's Popcorn Park Zoo, has picked thewinner of five of the last six Super Bowls. She went 14 and 6predicting games this year, and lifetime is 88-51.

Her prognostication skills flow from her love of grahamcrackers. Zoo general manager John Bergmann places a cracker andwrites a team's name on each hand. Whichever hand Princess nibblesfrom is her pick.

Princess was once the pet of heiress Duke, Bergmann said,spending summers at Duke's Newport estate. When Princess' caretakerwas about to retire, the estate offered her to Popcorn ParkZoo.

Photo op

You can have your picture taken alongside the Lamar Hunt AFCChampionship Trophy on Saturday and Sunday at the Hall at PatriotPlace.

Guests must purchase a - $10 for adults, $7 for seniors andactive military, $5 for children from 5 to 12, and free forchildren under 5. The trophy will be available for photos from 10a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 to 11:30 a.m., and 1 to 7 p.m.Sunday.

With Associated Press reports.

bmacpherson@providencejournal.com

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